January 4, 2010 by Rick and Tinka.

We had a wonderful time in the Dallas area.  Of course we had a couple of chores to tend to.  In Weatherford, we made appointments to see our primary physician and to prevent damage to our furniture, went to our storage place to change out the “Damp-Rid”.  Weatherford is really growing.  No real estate slowdown here.

It was great to spend some time with the family.  Once again, we stayed at Marc’s (our oldest) house.

And, once again, Nola and Barry opened their house for Christmas festivities.  We had been looking forward to this visit for some time.  Some of our favorite treats were present, the fabulous Merkts cheese spreads and the greasy, salty Mrs. Fisher’s potato chips.  The Merkts has been really hard to find in recent years, but thankfully a few flavors are available at some Walmarts.  The Fisher’s Potato Chips (still made with all those transfats) are only available in Rockford, Illinois and online.

All four girls; Ayden, Gracie, Maddi and Katie started out by checking their stocking contents.

Things were just beginning.  It seemed like the stream of loot just kept coming.  Just to give you an idea, here is Maddi STANDING in front of her pile.

It was fun to be around for Katie’s first Christmas.

When you catch up with us on the road, we may greet you with Rick’s new doormat. (Click on photo for close-up, it is a really good likeness.)

It was a wonderful visit.  The weather turned a little cold and nudged us to head back south quickly.

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December 28, 2009 by Rick and Tinka.

It doesn’t matter what your football affiliation is, or whether you have one at all.  If you are in the Dallas Fort Worth area and are looking for an interesting tour, check out the Dallas Cowboys Stadium tour.   The 1.2 billion dollar stadium built, by Jerry Jones, the Cowboy Organization, and the city of Arlington, is spectacular.

Except for a few days, tours start continuously from 10:00 AM until 4:30 PM with shorter tour hours on Sundays.  CLICK HERE for tour and ticket information.

Tinka took two of our granddaughters, Ayden and Maddi, on a tour that lasted about 2 hours 15 minutes.  Due to heavy holiday crowds, that was about an hour longer than the normal tour.  Unfortunately, Rick had to pass on this one due to back issues and the amount of walking involved.

From miles away, the stadium looms in the distance.

Any approach that you make is quite impressive.

This is the largest single span structure in the world. (no support columns)  Holding with Cowboy tradition, the roof can be opened so that God can watch his favorite team play.

This massive structure can accommodate the Statue of Liberty standing at the 50 yard line and have 14 feet of clearance above the torch.

Suites can be rented by the season and can cost up to $150,000 per game.  This is one of the upper suites.  They also have some at field level.

The stadium capacity is 100,000 people, including the 20,000 standing room visitors.  The cheapest seats run about $75.00, but here at the end of the building is one of the “standing room” areas available for $29.00 per person. (Click photo to enlarge)

Suspended 90 feet above the field is the largest HDTV television ever built.  It is two-sided and stretches from one 20 yard line to the other.  It is 73 feet tall and 160 feet in length.  There are also two 7-story elevators inside the TV.

An interesting fact about the TV screen is that it cost $40,000,000.00, that is one million more than the entire cost of the Cowboys previous stadium, Texas Stadium in Irving, Texas.

Huge posters of former heroes can be found in the “Pro Shop” where all things Cowboy can be purchased.

Looking out the upper windows, you get a good view of The Ballpark at Arlington, where the Texas Rangers baseball team plays.

While the player’s locker room is fairly plain looking, the exotic wood for each locker cost $9,000.00.

The Cowboy Cheerleaders, on the other hand, have their picture above their locker and each station is lighted and has a full length mirror.

Guess what?  The Cotton Bowl Game isn’t going to be played at the 1932 Cotton Bowl anymore.  It will be held here at the cowboy stadium.  At the time of our visit they were preparing the field for the New Year’s weekend.

This year Mississippi and Oklahoma State will participate in this year’s match up.

A permanent Cotton Bowl display can be found at the stadium that focuses on some of the outstanding  Bowl plays of all time.  Of course, the one depicted here was in which Jerry Jones participated.

We haven’t come across anyone that didn’t enjoy their visit to the new stadium, except visiting players.

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December 22, 2009 by Rick and Tinka.

We have traveled north to the frozen tundra of  the Dallas/Fort Worth area to spend the holidays with family.  Our wish is that everyone have a Happy  Holiday Season and an outstanding 2010.

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October 6, 2009 by Rick and Tinka.

It has been pointed out, by my mother, that in my recent blog entries related to my trip to Canada to visit her, failed to have her picture.  That’s the problem with dictating a blog long distance.  Something always gets lost in the message.  Well, here she is.

It had been entirely too long between visits.  It was certainly wonderful to catch up.

On another note, borrowed from Kiri’s (our daughter-in-law) Facebook gallery, here is granddaughter Gracie, right, and her friend Peyton enjoying a recent Taylor Swift concert in Dallas.

From all reports, they had a great time.

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August 29, 2009 by Rick and Tinka.

We’ve stopped in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for a few days to visit with family and deal with a few doctor appointments.

Once again, we have set up camp at the Cedar Hill State Park on Joe Pool Lake.

Unlike our last visit, we pretty much have the place to ourselves.  In the loop we’re in we have no neighbors.

Our site is huge, with paths to the lake. (And, most importantly, a southern exposure for Satellite TV.)

We had a nice couple of days visiting with children and grandchildren.  We want to wish Lance a happy birthday, on this his 35th.

We’re off to the Central Texas coast for a couple of days and then down to the Rio Grand Valley, prior to a week at South Padre Island.

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